CIVIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 888, 4 February 1930, Page 15

CIVIC

“THE TRESPASSER” Gloria Swanson broke her cinematic silence and spoke from the screen for the first time in “The Trespasser,” her initial all-dialogue 1 United Artists picture at the Civic Theatre. Miss Swanson reveals a stage voice that is a boon to jaded critics. Her tones are rich and well modulated—and quite in keeping with the role of the lady of refinement that she essays in “The Trespasser.” Another revelation is Miss Swanson’s soprano singing voice. That she well might have succeeded on the concert stage is indicated in her singing of the two numbers that give lyrical heights to the feature. One of the pieces is Tostelli’s a standard work. The other, “Love,” was composed especially for Miss Swanson by Edmund Goulding, author and director of “The Trespasser.” With a background laid in the ! fashionable Lake Shore Drive district of Chicago, this production enables Miss Swanson to appear in a role as millions of theatregoers love to see her—as the gorgeously-gowned American lady. In writing and directing “The Trespasser,” Edmund Goulding has worked out a new technique in talking pictures. Me tells his story simply and naturally—but packs it full of drama at every turn, with the result that the entire cast follow Miss Swanson’s example in giving noteworthy portrayals. A full entertainment of musical and dancing features is also presented. Mr. Ted Henkel's Civic Unit Orchestra played “The Blue Danube Waltz” as an overture, and on the stage a modern interpretation of Tannhauser. “The Two Melody Maids” sang and played the piano and violin most charmingly, and the Civic Ballet demonstrated their bright versatility in two dances —one a delightful minuet and the other a humorous “Stop and Go” Dance. Fred Scholl at the grand organ again pleases with his playing. Mis numbers are “In a, Monastery Garden” and a comedy sketch on the derivation of names. Conrad Xagel, who plays the part of Professor Agi in Lillian Gish’s first alltalking picture, “The Swan,” was at one time a cafe assistant. Me was also I a bricklayer's assistant, and to date I has appeared in more important talking pictures than any other actor.